Omaha daily bee., 1887-12-01
Commercial Union.


There arc indications that the sub
and the states OF South and Central
America may command considerable
share OF the attention of congress at the
coming session. The obvious fact that
this country must extend its markets
for its rapidly increasing productions
has within the past year or two taken Il
iirmer hold upon the public mind than
over before, and there is a disposition
that is not affected by party relations to
find u practical and feasible policy by
which the commerce of the country can
be enlarged and new channels found Tor
our surplus products. There is unques-
tionably a great field in which this
country does not enjoy its share of trade
that ought to be more carefully cult
waited than it ever has been, and the
problem is simply as to the wisest
method Of doing this.
1t is understood that Mr.. ButterwOrth
will introduce his bill for commercial
union with Canada at an early stage OF
the session, thus bringing the subject
to public attention. 1t is interesting
meanwhile to note that in Canada the
question is now being widely discussed
and that commercial union has a very
strong support there. Clubs to promote
the policy are being formed in all the
provinces, and the cause is winning
favor with prominent politicians and
business men. The bugbear Of Eng
lands displcasure, raised by the oppo-
nents of commercial union, appears to
be losing it's inAoence. There is grow
ing feeling among the people that the
matter is one to be decided wholly with
reference to their own material
interests, and not as the manu-
facturers of Manchester and Birming--
ham may desire. The policy is also be-
lieved to have grown in favor in this
country, though quite naturally less in
terest is felt in it here than there.
This is but a part, and perhaps not
the most important part, of what is pro-
iected in behalf of commercial union
with other countries. Con Gg"ess.i: g".esss.:.:.i Z
Townshend, of Illinois, says he will
again introduce his bill providing for
closer commercial relations between
! the United States and the republics of
South America, Mexico and the empire
of Brazil. In referring to this subject
| Mr.. Townshend remarked that COM
| merial union with Mexico and the
| South and Central American states
ought not to find a single opponent
| among our people. We produce
the very articles those countries need,
and if they do not purchase from us they
buy from our commercial rivals, Eng
land, France and Germany. This they
are now doing to the almost entire ex-
tent of their wants, the latest trust
worthy statistics showing that the
| United States gets only about ten per
cent of the trade of the vast country
south of it, amounting annually to be-
tween $3.50 600 900 and $40O, 600 900. And
this region, enormously rich in re-
sources, is but in the beginning of its
development, the possibilities of which
it would be idle to attempt to estimate.
Looking solely at the practical side
of the question, the duty of the United
States is plain. We must extend our COM
mercial relations and enlarge our trade
or put a check upon our productive
capacity. The latter alternative is un-
worthy of moments consideration.
The destiny of the nation is to occupy
the first place as commercial power,
and that position will be ultimately
attained. Progress toward it, however,
may be accelerated or retarded, and
while this country halts or lags in the
eager race of competition her CONNER.
cial rivals are pressing forward and
making more firm their hold upon what
they have. Delay increases the diff
cultles to be encountered and overcome.
Commercial union that does not involve
any ''entan Cling alliances" forbidden
by the traditional policy of the nation
is commended by every practical con.
sideration, and undoubtedly will be
eventually established.
The Prohibition Strength.